Richard Seddon

Richard ("King Dick") Seddon (1845–1906) arrived in New Zealand in 1866. He prospered on the Waimea gold diggings, and later became a publican on the West Coast. He also gained a reputation as an athlete and boxer - often settling arguments with his fists.

During the 1870s he became active in West Coast local politics. In 1879 he was elected to Parliament representing Hokitika, and later represented Westland. In Parliament Seddon became notorious for his wordiness, and was ridiculed as boorish, but he was a very astute politician, turning his apparent lack of sophistication to advantage.

When the Liberals took office in 1891 Seddon joined the Cabinet. In 1892 he became Premier, an office he held until his death in 1906. He was also Native Minister from 1893 to 1899. As a result of pressure from the Kotahitanga movement, in 1900 Seddon ended a period of extensive purchases of Maori land. The introduction of Maori Councils and Maori Land Boards also gave Maori some control over land loss, and community health and welfare. However, the settlers forced a reversal of Seddon's Maori land and social policies in 1905. As a result, Maori land alienation increased rapidly.

• See also: biography of Richard Seddon at DNZB website